Billy Bragg - A New England (Live on The Tube, 1983)

During the lockdowns I unearthed boxes of video tapes and memorabilia dating back to the earliest years of my career. Over the past months, I’ve been going through them all to pull out clips and photograph objects that illuminate the last 40 years. As the release of my Roaring Forty record approaches, I’m going to be posting the best of what I’ve found, progressing through my career from 1983 to the present day. Each post will be linked to a song from my catalogue as well. I hope you enjoy them.
This first clip comes from my very first TV appearance in October 1983, performing A New England live on the Tube. See if you can spot the moment when I inadvertently catch sight of myself on a nearby monitor and, realising I’m on national TV, almost lose my composure.
The Roaring Forty Spotify playlist - bit.ly/407rQNt
The Roaring Forty releases pre-order - bbragg.lnk.to/theroaringforty
#BB40 #TheRoaringForty 1

[@brianmolloy9865]

'It's wrong to wish on space hardware' is one of the cleverest lyrics you will ever hear.

[@thefog3361]

A friend saw him play in olden times. She said before he went on he was walking around outside playing with an amp strapped to his back. I wish I kept the button he gave her that she gave me.

[@user-js9dq4we4j]

I saw Billy in New Orleans in 1982 when he was opening for Echo & the Bunnymen. I did not expect him to eclipse anything the Echomen did. I stood in front of the bandstand captivated. I bought his album The Milkman of Human Kindness the next day. I'm 76 now and I still love him and have read his books. Who knew that I would consider him a "soul-brother?"

[@user-ip3qh2jl6h]

love him

[@Steven-gl4cw]

Can't eclipse echo absolutely not.

[@richardgoodman9552]

I was 21 years when I first heard this song, I'm 22 now, but I won't be for long... Which is a bit odd as it has been 40 years apparently... Maybe I lost track of time somewhere... Mate, with things as they are now, I think we need you and your music more than ever.

[@ryanfoxsongs]

There’s a guy down my local open mic pub who always plays this, great song with super lyrics.

[@OAP..JezzaG]

There's a guy down the chip shop swears he's Elvis but that's a whole other story

[@gareththompson5653]

Beautiful absolutely beautiful,the voice of an angry young man that'll never get old❤

[@d45254uk]

An amazing artist and human being! A true working class hero!

[@sleepybeagle27]

One of my favorite songs. It's wrong to wish on space hardware!

[@HermanVantongerlo]

First song I heart when my best friend has died

[@marcs2221]

You cannot imagine what that song meant to me when I was (way) younger. Still touches me. Thank you so much for having written this.

[@eleonoradini2371]

Believe me, I can imagine...

[@InAHollowTree]

My all time favorite Billy Bragg song. So stripped down, so very punk!

[@iliiiliiil]

I saw him on MTV and wrote him a letter in 1985 asking about tour dates near Los Angeles. I was too young for the clubs, but still have his letter. ♥

[@cathywilliams7401]

I adore Billy Bragg so this takes me back! Never grows old 💜

[@mooradchoudhry4035]

Mr Bragg I saw you play live for the first time at a GLC festival in 1984, at the time I turned to my friends and said "God Bless Him!". 40 years later this comes up in my KZbin feed and all I can think again is "God Bless You!" If any UK government wanted to restore some much needed honour to our "Honours System" they would knight you! Arise Sir Billy, you are a gentleman and a fabulous emotive wonderful songwriter and human being....

[@grahamstockfeld8210]

Saw you yesterday at Port Fairy, you can still belt it out 40 years later, looking forwards to seeing three more times this week in Melbourne, 34 years since I first saw you in Melbourne with Weddings Parties Anything at Her Majesty's Theatre on St Patrick's Day 1989

[@dbradx]

Billy, this is absolutely fantastic, what a great find in the archives. I clearly remember the first time I heard 'A New England', driving in my friend's mother's 1979 Buick with it blasting on the tape deck. I think we rewound it about 4 or 5 times and I was a fan for life. Here you are 40 years later, and you sounded every bit as fanstastic when I saw you in Toronto in November. Cheers!

[@soonerfan1675]

The perfect rock & roll song.

[@Jeremyramone]

Damn that was perfect, thank you for sharing Salud from San Diego.

[@davidbruce5451]

Brilliant I remember watching this on the Tv and feeling so inspired by it. Great song

[@mauro2510c.]

Wonderful and unforgettable, thanks and love

[@keironhiggspoet]

this song sort of gives me hope in the long run. i'm no longer 21, had a few perilous relationships which became bitter breakups and but like the chorus states i'm not wanting to change the world, just another girl to love. its somewhat rich to think in this often loveless world, but here's to hoping. great song, and Kirsty Mccol's version is great too.

[@j.c7719]

Beautiful song.

[@fieldjx]

An all-time great track. Just wonderful to have this early live vid of BB. Thank You

[@chrisst8922]

I remember this. Friday night at quarter past five until seven. Billy always at his best when it's just him and an electric guitar.

[@valpro99]

Saw this crazy guy way back in 81/82, Can't remember the exact year but it was at Penns Landing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Along with a few other new bands, Duran Duran, Squeeze, and Split Endz. All for just $6. They were the times.

[@jimmyzbike]

Great cut from the archives

[@mattress5340]

Just a guitar and a voice - but what a voice (this is reality, he needs no room)

[@Microdave75]

His voice is shite

[@geoffreybruce8371]

Billy is playing in my home town of Port Fairy this weekend and I can’t be there. Spewing.🎶🎶🎶

[@mascadadelpantion8018]

Is what a beautiful performance

[@perversesteak]

Always incredible.

[@andrewnorthwood5913]

Saw this as it happened, went out soon after and bought Life’s A Riot With Spy Vs Spy, still in my box in 2024 and love it as much as I did the day I picked it up

[@davismichaelwayne7646]

Thanks for posting this!

[@liamhotspur9182]

Great song and great performance! Congrats mate!

[@blackstter6317]

I miss The Tube.

[@TokeBoat]

just listened to your radio 4 21 years enjoyed thanks

[@marklawrence8418]

Good to spot Muriel Gray there too.

[@jenks2841]

Love this guy!!!! My favorite artist

[@VonBlade]

The Tube was so good. Must be weird looking back and not having the whole audience singing it for you. My brain autopilots to "When he drops you off.. "

[@8589brian]

Great times

[@teambammotorsport7249]

legend

Well done, Billy

[@sianwarwick633]

Since there's an ad for Billy Bragg's 40th anniversary as a musician, i'd better say in 1983, i couldn't even conceive of 2023. 🎉 Thank goodness we both still around

[@InAHollowTree]

I could, but I thought we’d be living in something close to a solarpunk/library-of-things society by now. Im disappointed about living in this “future”, but at least we still have great music like this to get us by.

[@ebutzek1]

Absolutely NOTHING tops Billy. You want punk? He’s harder. You want rock? He’s more melodic. You want folk? His poetry is better. Dude can crush ANYTHING, and it’s all revolutionary if your eyes are open…. ❤️

[@colinwilson4609]

He's a kind sensible leftie and a wonderful poet. I wish there were more like him.

[@henrysmith883]

@@colinwilson4609 As a Barking working class lad in the early 80s, his left wing politics were pretty unique down that way. It was ICF/BNP territory.

[@Btash97]

@@colinwilson4609never heard the words sensible and leftie together.

[@Matesa]

You' ll hear that for sure before you die .

[@user-hb1rg5jp9n]

Timeless!

[@Macoosy]

We’ve got a New England and it’s bloody horrible

[@catpastor]

Well shit don’t blame Billy he just wanted another girl

[@patwell6853]

39 years before I got to see my hero. Glasgow 2022. God bless you Billy

[@JaneLancaster-gb1jc]

much 💕

[@colinwilson4609]

Hell, I'd vote for him.

[@zoltan-zq3xe]

Billy Bragg is a parasite i love Skrewdriver !!!

[@Microdave75]

First time hearing this guy, won't be hearing it again

[@JOLLYOLLYful]

hes so fuckin beautiful

[@trudytaylor1365]

One of my fav's of Billy's 🥳🍹👋👋

[@user-zf8po4ug5d]

First two lines were lifted word for word from Paul Simon's 'Leaves that are Green'.

[@krisscanlon4051]

Breath of fresh in UK...like Rober Wyatt was or Otway...personally Clash should have BB front them before its too late...

[@Christianna73]

❤

[@Original50]

Modern-day Chaucer. 🙏

[@Kapellmann69]

Yeah

[@user-hv5uy7ct6g]

watch this at the time when I was 14, he is brilliant

[@p47-frdmfgter04]

Billy plays a strong chop, oh very nice tone if you will

[@brendanfoley1415]

Greetings from Perth, Western Australia. Had respect for billys' music in the 90s. Myself, brother & sister went to his tour here in Perth probably 10 - 13 years ago. He was telling crowd "get with the programme' & vote for same sex marriage. Look how that's turned out... Just saying.

[@bl00dymilitia420]

I got to see him at PRB this year this past weekend. Also walked pass him as he went up to the pool deck to set up for his show! Such an honor!! 🤘

[@user-kt8mv7qb8g]

I was 20 years old when i heard this song.. blimey 40 years ago. The love songs from riot/brewing up still linger. Oh and the politics ofc =^^= but - A Lover Sings should have been front and centre for the Roaring 40!

[@paulcrawford5153]

tight... just like what hes was singing about.. in the 80s at least

[@swthirteen]

The Arbiter.

[@mumbles8078]

When Billy Bragg actually still had something important and vital to say 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@michaelschories2574]

why you told in memories in your performance in the GDR (Eastern Germany) so bad?

[@NUTTY4LIFE]

Corbyn's love child.

[@michaelflint4159]

Yeah. I'm still looking for " a new England ". Not much success though 😢

[@tobeygun]

😩😭🤎🧡💛

[@TheLawlessproduction]

Is that a t-60?

[@lassel1644]

Great song... the pitch of the vocals wouldn´t make the gold ticket in UK idol though..

[@UltraSolution]

Anyone else notice the random points of hesitation?

[@-_AjB_-]

When I saw this in 83 I fell in love with BB, picked up the guitar. It was 30 years before I discovered the lyrics to the 1st verse were lifted from a Paul Simon song. I've never felt more let down. Don't get me started on "La la la la la la la la la means I love you."

[@trudytaylor1365]

I love la la la don't you ruin it for us 😁

[@-_AjB_-]

@@trudytaylor1365 sorry, but you must hear 'La la means I love you" by the Delfonics

[@-_AjB_-]

@@krypton2k what do you mean?

[@kapitankrusty5470]

So he's not allowed to reference the song him and his school peers would have been slow dancing to at the school disco ? Everyone else knew he was talking about The Delfonics except you it would seem.

[@kapitankrusty5470]

And Simon & Garfunkel were one of his earliest influences. He's never hidden the fact he thought it was a nice touch to open the song with one of Simon's lines because Bill was actually 21 at the time.

[@famouse6217]

I wish, I wish you’d care

[@GOD-OF-MGTOW]

Back when people got paid for being shite.

[@loadedorygun]

You look nervous mate!

[@donnathelightningbug]

crawling

[@tommy_shooter632]

Champagne Socialist

[@diogenes1815]

Girls don’t look too impressed

[@merle3105]

Promo SM 🤩

[@crabapples1995]

What a silly lad.

[@turokforever007]

SELL OUT

[@lavienestpasunlongfleuvetr2559]

Who would've thought that decades after releasing this song, Billy would pretend that he doesn't know what a 'girl' is.

[@calvinware7957]

I love finding out Billy Bragg is based from transphobes

[@user-tb7dz6cp9n]

🤣🤣he is trying to love bomb you. Weird

[@risingroads]

This sucks.

[@jeremywestern7067]

IVE ALWAYS HATED THIS W⚓️FOR RUINING AT STYLE COUNCIL GIG AT THE IPSWICH CORN EXCHANGE IN 1984